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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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to the last . He breathed his dying breath with so much calmness and tranquillity , that his medical attendant , who was present , declared that he never
witnessed a more easy , serene , and peaceable departure . His remains were carried to the tomb amidst the regrets and sorrows of considerable numbers of his townsmen , many of whom were of the most respectable rank ; and a funeral sermon to his memory , delivered to a very attentive congregation of the same description , by the Rev . Theophilus Browne , who had the honour to be chosen for thai ; purpose , set the seal to the attachment and regard which was retained for him .
Mrs . Major . June 9 , at her house at Carisbrook , in the Isle of Wight , aged 75 years , Mrs . Major , widow of the late Joseph Roche Major , Esq . The deceased was one of the oldest members of the congregation assembling for Divine worship at the Unitarian Chapel , High Street , Newport ; she attended the chapel during Jjer whole life , and was a inembej * of the church upwards of fifty years . Her earliest sentiments inclined to Arianism , biU long
before the writings of Dr . Priestley and others were so generally disseminated , she had become by her study of the New Testament , and the efforts of a mind naturally strong and acute , an Unitarian in the strictest sense of the word , ranking afterwards among those who at that period were commonly but mistakenly styled Sodnians . These principles she maintained to the close of her life . She
was often heard to express her devout gratitude to the Almighty Disposer of events , that she was so early led to entertain such delightful views of the being and attributes of God as are contained in the sentiments generally termed Unitarian . These opinions she held from the strongest convictions , and evidenced the siucetity and reality of her
iaith in the purity and consistency of her life . To support the interests of the congregation to which she belonged , and promote to the utmost of her ability the general diffusion of her much-loved principles , was her chief delight ; to partake of the pious pleasures of social worship ,
her principal enjoyment . Her attachment to the opinions she had espoused , and the practice she approved , subjected her to severe trials , and during a loug period she suffered much for conscience ' sake ; hut her liiildness and perseverance neutralized opposition , and triumphed dvei all persecution .
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The late Mrs . Major possessed a mind of no common stamp ; it was formed upon the maxims of that gospel which it was her delight to study . To iucrease hef love to God and her neighbour was her daily occupation , and her character displayed the Christian graces and virtues in all their beauty and harmony . The unaffected piety , sterling integrity ,
and unbounded charity , of this excellent woman , commanded the respect and esteem of her friends ; while the nrbauity of her temper , the gentleness of her disposition , the sincerity of her hospitality , combined with her bumble but dignified manners , secured the affection of all , and endeared her particularly to the young . As a proof of the benevolence
of the late Mrs . Major ' s character , and the general good-will which was entertained towards her , it may be mentioned , that she numbered among her intimate friends persons of every religious party , Dissenters of all sects and persuasions , Protestant and Catholic , and members of
the Establishment , and she was equally beloved by all . Every institution that had for its object the diffusion of useful knowledge , received the late Mrs * Major ' s zealous support ; and especially those establishments appropriated to the moral and religious instruction of the children of the lower classes . She to (* k
a lively interest in the efforts made by the friends of civil and religi 3 us liberty , and warmly advocated the greatest possible extension of those sacred principles throughout the world . On her death-bed she often expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Almighty God that she had beeu spared to witness the triumphant success of the two great measures which have been lately achieved in this country .
The illness which removed this pious woman from her earthly connexions was long and painful ; her sufferings were protracted and severe ; but the principles which enlightened lier life , shone brilliantly to the close of it . No anguish of body could shake the firmness of her mind , while reason retained her seat ; no repinings ever escaped her lips ; ami her faith iu the unerring wisdom and infinite benevolence of the Gcd whom she
adored , and ( to use her favourite expression ) her belief " that all things would finally work together for good to all his creatures , " remained firm to the last . To all her friends the late Mrs . Major exhibited an impressive example of the great advantage of making religion a reality 5 with her it was not merely the
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Obituary . —Mrs . Major . 507
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1829, page 507, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2574/page/59/
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